CHASING FIREFLY: The lineup is out

Speculation for the 2014 Firefly Music Festival lineup began just as Foster the People were closing out last year's event. How would organizers top a weekend that included favorites like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Vampire Weekend, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Alabama Shakes? Today, those questions get answered.

After a whirlwind weekend that saw fans racing towards line-up clues located in six northeastern cities, Firefly Music Festival organizers have finally put all the guessing to rest.

As of 1:20 p.m., the lineup of artists and entertainers that will be headed to The Woodlands at Dover International Speedway is officially public knowledge now. Along with headliners Foo Fighters, Outkast and Jack Johnson, the lineup also includes Artic Monkeys, The Lumineers, Pretty Lights, Imagine Dragons, Tegan and Sara, Weezer and more than 95 additional acts.

Fans who have attended the previous two festivals may be pleased to learn that several artists are returning for a second act, including Imagine Dragons, Girl Talk and Grouplove (all from the 2012 lineup) and The Lumineers, who were originally scheduled to perform last year but cancelled at the last minute.

This year's lineup has expanded by more than 25 percent with 34 additional artists committed to the roster. The ever-growing list will be supported by one full extra day of music and three more stages.

"The addition of the fourth day, along with the expansion of our festival acreage and lineup, makes this the most exciting Firefly yet," said Firefly Music Festival Director Greg Bostrom. "These changes reflect our commitment to providing our fans the premier experience they expect from us not only this year but in the years to come."

That commitment also extends to the festival's charity efforts through a partnership with St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, which is made possible by the Music Gives to St. Jude Kids program. Festival attendees will be able to support the work of St. Jude on-site and in the months leading up to the event through a variety of digital, mobile and live donation opportunities. Those donations will eventually go towards Red Frog Events' $25 million commitment to the St. Jude Red Frog Events Proton Therapy Center, opening in 2015 on St. Jude's campus in Memphis.

Yet another pledge made by Red Frog Events, the company that produces the festival, is towards experience. The festival once again promises to be more than just music with some familiar attractions returning to The Woodlands, including the Dogfish Head Brewery, The Arcade, The Coffee House and Hammock Hangout. Organizers are also promising the addition of several more attractions, which will be announced just prior to the event.

This year's festival will take place Thursday, June 19 through Sunday, June 22. Shows on Thursday will not start until late in the afternoon. Fans interested in the top-tier experience that VIP and Super VIP passes offer (like a private entrance, on-stage concert viewing, air-conditioned restrooms and complimentary refreshments), can currently purchase those packages for $699 and $1999. General admission passes ($249) will go on sale Monday, Jan. 20 at 12 p.m., EST through the official Firefly Music Festival website.